Narcissistic Friendships: How to Recognize and Set Boundaries

Do some friendships leave you feeling drained, confused, or like everything's your fault? That's not just a rough patch. It might be narcissism.

Hi, I'm Dr. Andrea Zorbas. I'm a psychologist from Therapy Now SF. So friendships with narcissistic traits can be especially hard to spot because they often start with charm. Let's talk about how to recognize the signs and then protect your wellbeing.

So first off, narcissistic friends center themselves, even in your struggles. They may respond to your pain by shifting the conversation back to themselves or minimize what you're going through.

Second, they use guilt and manipulation to keep control. So you might feel like you can't say no without consequences, or like the friendship is conditional on how much you give them.

Lastly, boundaries are your way out. You don't have to win or fix the dynamic. You can name what feels off, reduce contact, or if need be, step away completely.

So in summary, it's okay to outgrow people who no longer feel safe. Therapy Now SF can help you set boundaries with clarity and compassion.